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New Jersey bars Tesla from selling without dealers

Tesla Motors, which has been fighting state-by-state to be able to sell its electric cars directly to the public, just lost big in New Jersey. The state today decided to approve a new regulation that require

Tesla Motors, which has been fighting state-by-state to be able to sell its electric cars directly to the public, just lost big in New Jersey.

The state today decided to approve a new regulation that require all new car dealers to obtain a franchise agreement in order to receive a state license, the Associated Press is reporting. In essence, it's saying that you can't buy a new car without a middleman in the state. Tesla had two dealer license issued to it.

Tesla has been fighting to sell its cars using its direct-sales model in the other states as well, such as Texas, where it lost. In New Jersey, the California-based company says it thought it had an agreement with Gov. Chris Christie's administration.

"This is an issue that affects not just Tesla customers, but also New Jersey citizens at large, because Tesla would be unable to create new jobs or participate in New Jersey's economic revival," Tesla wrote on its blog today.